Articles and Smart Money Tips

Here's a lot of useful information – whether you're retired, or just thinking about retirement. As you'll see below, it's an eclectic collection of articles and tips about various aspects of personal finance budgeting and planning – with many potential solutions to help you simplify your life – from where to find a high rate certificate of deposit – to shopping for a discount prescription online – and more.

Smart Money Tips

10 Insurance Policies You Don't Need – Don't let your fears sell you insurance you don't need.
401k Retirement Plan – If you are still working, you can earn free money now, GUARANTEED!
401k contribution limits – What are they for this year?
Advance Directives and Living Trusts – What seniors can do now to prepare for their later years with greater peace of mind.
Bank Safety – Find out if your bank is healthy and safe ... or sick as a dog.
Beneficiaries – Are yours up-to-date? Or, will the wrong people inherit your money?
Budget Worksheets – Free printable worksheets to help you prepare for the many aspects of retirement.
Certificates of Deposit – Where can you find a high rate certificate of deposit and the highest money market rates?
Certificates of Deposit – We're sorry, but you can't buy that high rate certificate of deposit!
Credit Reports – Now, you can get a free copy once a year. But at your age, why should you care?
Emergency Fund – How large should your emergency fund be?
FDIC Insurance – Are your CDs as safe as you think?
Financial Caregiving – a Survival Guide when a loved one is ill (from the archives of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).
Financial Organizers – Recommended by The Wall Street Journal for two years in a row, our 6 personal and financial organizers are free, comprehensive, yet concise and easy-to-use.
FREE Online Budgeting System – Compare Mvelopes to Microsoft Money® or Quicken®. See why Mvelopes is the better product by far. more information
Glossary – of terms related to retirement, estate planning and elder care – all in words you can understand.
Identity Theft – Protect Yourself.
Income Sources – Exploring the options after retirement.
Invest in Credit Cards – Your investments can grow 14% per year – or more.
Legal forms of ownership – Which of the 7 most common types is best for you?
Life Settlements – Another option that can help pay for your housing needs after retirement.
Medicaid – On February 8, 2006, a new law changed the rules for nursing home care. How will it affect you?
Money – How much do you need to retire?
Pensions – Are any of your pensions missing? Many seniors can't find pensions owed to them from old employers that have gone out of business. Here's help.
Retirement Calculator – Will you outlive your income?
Retirement Countdown – Your "to do" list for a smooth transition into retirement.
Reverse Mortgages – See how most homeowners 62 and older can increase their monthly income ... and more.
Senior Discounts – including money saving tips, strategies and special offers.
Social Security Benefits ...
Unclaimed Money – find missing money and other assets.
US Savings Bonds – Have yours stopped earning interest?
Working after Retirement – whether it's a part-time job, volunteer work, or a second career, here's help to find work situations that are both financially and personally rewarding.

Tax Tips. We cannot give you tax advice. However, here are some topics you may want to investigate further or discuss with your tax advisor.

Assisted Living. Most assisted living facilities provide some medical care services for their residents. Thus, according to Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code, a portion of the fees paid for assisted living can qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense. The tax-deductible portion is often referred to as the medical care component. It applies even if a resident is not living there primarily for medical reasons. Early each year, each facility should provide its residents with a written statement that shows the medical care component; if your facility has not done so by mid-February, ask them to prepare one for you.

Donations. It can be difficult to estimate the value of clothing and other items you donate to charities such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Now, you can get up-to-date fair-market valuations for a wide range of items including clothing, household goods, sporting equipment and consumer electronics in good, fair or poor condition from It's Deductible.

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